In a tweet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Arabic-language spokesman Ofir Gendelman said Miss Earth Lebanon, Salwa Akar, was stripped of her title because she “dared” have a photo with Miss Israel.

“Lebanese apartheid must be condemned,” said Gendelman.

Israel and Lebanon have been engaged in war for a long time. Earlier this month, the Lebanese government had even accused that Israel “may be preparing to strike targets in Beirut to destroy guided missiles being prepared by the militant group Hezbollah.”

Akar, for her part, said “I don’t need a ‘title’ to be myself.. I, the Soul am peace.. and I will finish what I started with or without your support and love .. God is always beside me, he knows me more than anyone.. and he knows what’s in my heart. Om Shanti.”

The Miss Earth, an annual beauty pageant that focuses on environmental issues, will be held this Sunday.